Southwest Media Group has appointed veteran programmer Joel Burke as Market Manager of their stations in the Texas Panhandle.
Burke will oversee Country 106.7 KQTY Borger, Oldies 800 KDDD Dumas/103.5 K278DB Borger, Classic Country 95.3 KDDD-FM Dumas/96.5 K243CE Amarillo, AC 1230 KGRO Pampa/99.9 K260DU Stinnett, Country 100.3 KOMX Pampa, and Classic Rock “103.3 The Arrow” KRWP Pampa.
Burke most recently programmed 98.3 KORA-FM Bryan TX and previously has programmed stations including Christian KCBI-FM Dallas from 2013-2021, Country KASE and KVET-FM Austin from 2010-12, Country KYGO Denver from 2000-2010, AC WRVR Memphis from 1995-2000, and also has spent time at KAMX/KKMJ Austin and Three Eagle Communications.
One of the Lone Star State’s most celebrated and seasoned radio veterans will call the Panhandle home starting on Monday. Southwest Media Group has announced the addition of longtime broadcast executive Joel Burke as Market Manager overseeing day-to-day operations of the company’s signals in Pampa, Borger, and Dumas.
Burke has had a career spanning several decades, overseeing legendary radio stations such as KVET and KASE in Austin, KYGO in Denver, and WRVR in Memphis. Under his watch, several of the radio stations and employees that he has overseen were consistent award winners from groups such as the Country Music Association, Country Radio Seminar, and many others. A recent milestone in his career was an eight year stay at KCBI in Dallas, which became one of the leading contemparary Christian radio stations in the country under his leadership.
In addition to his winning record in leading and programming radio groups, Burke has worked closely and maintained working relationships with a number of the world’s most famous artists such as Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, and numerous others. He has been credited with bringing national attention to the Red Dirt music movement through his work in the Denver market.
“I have known Joel by reputation for nearly two decades, having watched his success leading some of the country’s most famous broadcast brands. Anytime we can bring in someone with his credentials, it is an unbelievable victory for our company,” Southwest Media Group owner Grant Merrill said. “Joel has had offers from much bigger markets as of late, but has chosen to return to his roots in West Texas. He shares our small town, common sense values and you will hear that reflected on our airwaves.”
Burke is a graduate of Ralls High School near Lubbock, where he excelled as a track star and competed at regional and state events in several venues across the Texas Panhandle.
Southwest Media Group’s Panhandle market includes stations KGRO, KOMX, and KRWP in Pampa, KQTY in Borger, and KDDD AM and FM in Dumas and Amarillo.
